Rector Search

Good Shepherd Calls a New Rector

On Sunday May 5, 2019 Senior Warden Linda Rush announced that the vestry has called a new rector. She is The Reverend Susan J. Latimer, who has been serving a congregation in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. She will officially start at Good Shepherd on July 1, 2019 and will be celebrant for her first service at Good Shepherd on July 7.

Please welcome Susan!

Letter from Good Shepherd’s New Rector

Dear People of Good Shepherd,

I am full of joy to be called as your new rector! In the search process, I was deeply impressed by the faithfulness and commitment of your search committee and vestry. I know that it has been a long search for you, and I admire the way that you have persisted in mission and ministry without a rector.

I am a third generation Southern Californian; my grandfather, Jim Latimer, was born in Riverside in the late 1800’s, and my father, James H. Latimer, was born in Ontario in 1920. I grew up in Vista where my mother and brother and his family still live. As a young child, I sang in the choir of All Saints’ Vista, where the liturgy and music became part of me. Music is still an important part of my spiritual life. I have two degrees in music, from Yale and USC, Los Angeles, and although I don’t play the piano much anymore, I have never stopped singing!

Since 1984 I have lived on the East Coast. So, coming to Southern California is a true homecoming for me! In 1992 I was both ordained to the priesthood and married to John Roberts in the Diocese of Atlanta. I have served as assistant/associate in parishes in that diocese and, since 2001, as rector of parishes in the dioceses of Maine, West Virginia, and, currently, Southwest Florida.

I take great joy in the liturgy and music of the Episcopal Church. I love teaching spiritual practices of the Anglican/Episcopal tradition, contemplative spiritual practices, leading retreats and quiet days and facilitating small groups. I have received training in congregational development and am a member of The Order of the Ascension (OA), a religious order in the Episcopal Church that focuses on the development of parish churches grounded in Anglican pastoral and ascetical theology, especially Benedictine spirituality.

My three-quarter time position (30 hours a week/ 4 days a week) as rector will begin the week of July 1st, and my first Sunday will be July 7th. I will work with the wardens and vestry to be clear about how and when those 30 hours will be spent each week.

My husband and I have two grown sons. Franklin lives in D.C. and works for FEMA. Hugh is finishing his sophomore year at New College of Florida. As I shared with your search committee and vestry, my husband will stay in Florida until Hugh finishes his state school. We will travel back and forth for our vacations – and, in fact, John will be here with me and us for the second Sunday I am with you, July 14, on his birthday weekend! I (we) can’t wait to meet all of you!

May we share the joy of the Risen Christ with everyone we encounter in this Easter Season!